The Angels’ Kaleb Cowart, right, is congratulated by Shohei Ohtani (17), Taylor Ward (3) and Andrelton Simmons after hitting a go-ahead grand slam during the sixth inning of Tuesday’s game against the A’s in Oakland. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

Los Angeles Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs works against the Oakland Athletics during the first inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

Oakland Athletics pitcher Liam Hendriks works against the Los Angeles Angels during the first inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

Los Angeles Angels’ Shohei Ohtani flips his bat after being walked by Oakland Athletics’ Liam Hendriks during the second inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

OAKLAND, CA – SEPTEMBER 18: Tyler Skaggs #45 of the Los Angeles Angels pitches Oakland Athletics in the first inning at Oakland Alameda Coliseum on September 18, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

OAKLAND, CA – SEPTEMBER 18: Stephen Piscotty #25 of the Oakland Athletics slides past Jose Briceno #10 of the Los Angeles Angels to score on a double hit by Mark Canha #20 in the fourth inning at Oakland Alameda Coliseum on September 18, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Los Angeles Angels’ Shohei Ohtani after being walked by Oakland Athletics’ Liam Hendriks in the second inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

Los Angeles Angels’ Shohei Ohtani after being walked by Oakland Athletics’ Liam Hendriks in the second inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

Los Angeles Angels’ Shohei Ohtani after being walked by Oakland Athletics’ Liam Hendriks in the second inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

Los Angeles Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs works against the Oakland Athletics in the first inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

OAKLAND, CA – SEPTEMBER 18: Mike Trout #27 of the Los Angeles Angels reacts as he crosses in front of Jonathan Lucroy #21 of the Oakland Athletics after he hit a home run in the fourth inning at Oakland Alameda Coliseum on September 18, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Los Angeles Angels’ Mike Trout (27) is congratulated after hitting a home run off Oakland Athletics’ Daniel Mengden during the fourth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

OAKLAND, CA – SEPTEMBER 18: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Angels slides back to first base in the second inning against the Oakland Athletics at Oakland Alameda Coliseum on September 18, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

OAKLAND, CA – SEPTEMBER 18: Mark Canha #20 of the Oakland Athletics is congratulated by Ramon Laureano #22 after he scored on a hit by Jonathan Lucroy #21 in the fourth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Oakland Alameda Coliseum on September 18, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

OAKLAND, CA – SEPTEMBER 18: Cam Bedrosian #32 of the Los Angeles Angels is taken out of the game by manager Mike Scioscia #14 of the Los Angeles Angels in the fourth inning against the Oakland Athletics at Oakland Alameda Coliseum on September 18, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

OAKLAND, CA – SEPTEMBER 18: Kaleb Cowart #22 of the Los Angeles Angels hits a grand slam home run in the sixth inning against the Oakland Athletics at Oakland Alameda Coliseum on September 18, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

The Angels’ Kaleb Cowart tosses his bat as he watches the flight of his go-ahead grand slam during the sixth inning of Tuesday’s game in Oakland. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

OAKLAND, CA – SEPTEMBER 18: Shohei Ohtani #17, Taylor Ward #3, and Andrelton Simmons #2 congratulate Kaleb Cowart #22 of the Los Angeles Angels after he hit a grand slam home run in the sixth inning against the Oakland Athletics at Oakland Alameda Coliseum on September 18, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

OAKLAND, CA – SEPTEMBER 18: Shohei Ohtani #17, Taylor Ward #3, and Andrelton Simmons #2 congratulate Kaleb Cowart #22 of the Los Angeles Angels after he hit a grand slam home run in the sixth inning against the Oakland Athletics at Oakland Alameda Coliseum on September 18, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Los Angeles Angels’ Andrelton Simmons follows through on a two-run single off Oakland Athletics’ Lou Trivino during the sixth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

OAKLAND, CA – SEPTEMBER 18: Kaleb Cowart #22 of the Los Angeles Angels reacts after he hit a triple that scored a run in the eighth inning against the Oakland Athletics at Oakland Alameda Coliseum on September 18, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

OAKLAND, CA – SEPTEMBER 18: Ramon Laureano #22 of the Oakland Athletics collides with Taylor Ward #3 of the Los Angeles Angels as Ward safely slides back to second base at Oakland Alameda Coliseum on September 18, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Angels relief pitcher Ty Buttrey and catcher Francisco Arcia high-five each other after their team’s 9-7 victory over the A’s on Tuesday night in Oakland. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Cowart has not had much go his way in the big leagues over the past year.

Sign up for Home Turf and get exclusive stories every SoCal sports fan must read, sent daily. Subscribe here.

After getting about a month-long audition as the everyday second baseman last August, Cowart was moved back to the bench when the Angels traded for Brandon Phillips. In the winter they traded for Ian Kinsler, and after they traded Kinsler in July, David Fletcher became the everyday second baseman.

With someone always in front of him on the depth chart, Cowart got sporadic playing time and he was hitting .123 coming into Tuesday’s game.

However, Fletcher is likely out for the remaining two weeks with a strained hamstring, which gives Cowart a brief opportunity to try to change the narrative of his season.

“Hopefully I’ll get into a rhythm here with some playing time,” Cowart said. “I felt good tonight. … It’s unfortunate what happened to Fletcher, but I’m going to embrace the opportunity and go from there.”

After his average dropped to .120 with outs in his first two trips, he came to the plate in the sixth inning with the bases loaded and the Angels trailing 4-3.

He lofted a ball just over the fence in right field for the Angels first grand slam of the season. It was the first grand slam by an Angels second baseman since Maicer Izturis in 2007.

“This guy works as hard as anybody in this game,” Manager Mike Scioscia said. “It’s good to see him get rewarded tonight with two huge hits for us.”

Cowart took Cam Bedrosian off the hook after he had allowed four runs in the fourth inning in relief of Skaggs.

Bedrosian immediately loaded the bases with no outs, on a hit and two walks. After striking out and getting ahead of Mark Canha, 0-and-2, he was nearly out of the jam. Canha hit an inside fastball off the left-field fence for a three-run double.

The Angels pushed the lead to 9-4 after Cowart’s triple in the eighth, but they had to hold off a late rally. Ty Buttrey recorded the last five outs, entering with the bases-loaded in the eighth, to pick up the save. He is perfect in his first four big-league save attempts.